Widow of dead bombing suspect wants body released to his family

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, right, along with his brother Dzhokhar, left, allegedly planted bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. (Source: FBI)

(RNN) - The widow of Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev wants his body released to the Tsarnaev family, according to a statement obtained by CNN.

Katherine Russell was notified that the Massachusetts medical examiner is preparing to release his body. Remains are usually claimed by the next of kin.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev's parents are currently in Russia, having canceled a planned trip to the U.S.

His uncle Ruslan Tsarni told the Associated Press, "Of course, family members will take possession of the body," adding "a family is a family."

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, along with his younger brother Dzhokhar, allegedly planted bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, Patriots Day.

A few days later, police say the pair got into a gun battle with officers after they shot and killed an MIT police officer.

While trying to get away, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev reportedly drove over Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev's exact cause of death will not be made public until his body is claimed.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is recovering from his injuries at a federal prison hospital.

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama defended the FBI's efforts at investigating Tamerlan Tsarnaev after the Russian government tipped them off in 2011 that he was developing extremist views.

"It's not as if the FBI did nothing. They not only investigated the older brother, they interviewed the older brother. They concluded that there were no signs that he was engaging in extremist activity," Obama said.